Portland to TucsonDrove down to Tucson last week. We decided to do some camping along the way. A bit frosty for the most part given the middle of January, but we didn't freeze.

Took the I-84 out through Oregon into Idaho and picked out a spot at City of Rocks. We were the only campers there so it was nice. Snowing and blowing all night, but the temps never dipped below 22 deg F. Beautiful location, we are definitely going back come summer time. The road out was a county road that dropped into Utah with up to 2" snow on it and occasional ranch truck tracks to boost our confidence in the route

RE: Portland to TucsonCity of Rocks was over 6000 elevation if I remember correctly. The following day, we went down to SLC and hit the Patagonia outlet for some heavy duty outerwear and continued down towards Bryce. The speed limit is pretty good in most of Utah. It is easy to get used to cruising at 90MPH in a G500. Unfortunately the smaller roads have slower speed limits and the local law was on the prowl. Luckily only got a warning.

When we got to Bryce the temps were in the teens, so we booked a hotel. It was 8 deg in the morning.

RE: Portland to TucsonThe next day was a relatively short drive down to Kanab. The BLM office was closed due to the government shutdown, so permits to the Wave were looking unlikely...
A ling dirt and snow and rock drive into Toroweep was rewarded with a great campsite and no one else around. Great sunset too.

RE: Portland to TucsonWe blasted down through the Navajo reservation for warmer climes. It had only been above freezing a few times in the prior 4 days. Once we got past Flagstaff and down into Sedona, it was a really nice warm picnic in the sun down in the Oak Creek Canyon. What an amazing stretch of road that was, the 89A

The goal was the Ritz outside of Tucson and the valet guys sure were surprised to see a Gwagen that actually gets dirty. lots of grins all around. Gas was super cheap down there, I brought an extra 6 gallons home to help pay for the trip. hiking trails in the Saguaros and the rocky hills were awesome and we had the good fortune to run into an amateur astronomer that let me snap a photo through his telescope. Temps in the 70s during the day, ahhh - poolside beers...

Great pic Dutch
Luckily in Mid-January during government shut downs, no one else is around and you can pretty much camp where ever you want

There is a ranger living a couple of miles back from the rim. Government shutdown or not, I'd be willing to bet that he was still there.

Yes the Ranger was there and checked us in, he was very friendly and seemed happy to have someone coming in. He complimented the "Land Rover" too.
We just stayed in the day use area next to the rim and nobody bothered us.